Natural Energy Device Research and Development Pact

The world is continually embracing natural energy, especially solar energy, as an alternative sustainable source. Farmers using solar energy, for instance, say it saves money, increases self reliance and reduces pollution making a farm more efficient. In order to foster this paradigm shift, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology on Wednesday, May 27, partnered with Looop Inc of Japan in natural energy device research and development.

Looop Inc focuses on producing various products and services in the field of natural energy. The two organisations will develop a solar-sharing system that produces clean energy without compromising food production thus improving the field of agriculture. The success and sustainability of the innovation will be achieved through sharing of JKUAT’s physical facilities, institutional capacity building on renewable energy, information dissemination, documentation and publication.

Speaking at the signing of the memorandum of understanding, Looop Inc President, Soichiro Nakamura commended JKUAT for their invaluable work in research and innovation and hopes that the partnership between his company and JKUAT will bring renewable energy close to the people of Kenya.

“As natural energy sources become widely used, I hope this partnership will be able to develop renewable energy innovations that will be available anytime and anywhere to the people of Kenya,” said Nakamura adding that he hopes that the partnership will also be able to give the students of JKUAT with practical experience in his company.

The officials tour renewable energy research site at the University

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mabel Imbuga welcomed the partnership and lauded Looop for the initiative of natural energy device research and development. She acknowledged that this would immensely contribute to the use of natural energy especially in the field of agriculture.

“I cannot wait to taste the strawberries produced from the solar energy greenhouse,” remarked Prof. Imbuga

She further explained that JKUAT researchers have developed various technologies under the BRIGHT project to harness alternative energy sources from wind, and water hyacinth.